There's something about the time between school and dinner that turns kids into eating machines. So how do you keep hungry little ones happy – and full – until dinner time? Why not try these healthy and delicious after school snack ideas for size ...

Banana and chocolate muffins

Your browser cannot play this video.

Banana and chocolate muffins

These yummy muffins are made with half white flour, and half wholemeal - to add fibre while still keeping them light and fluffy. Their sweetness comes from mashed bananas plus a little agave syrup and dark chocolate.

Applewiches

How cute are these apple sandwiches? Swap bread for juicy apple slices and put granola and peanut-butter in the middle for a fibre and protein-packed snack that will see them through homework and playtime until dinner.

Cashew and lemon no-bake cookies

Turn cookies from sugar-fest to nutritious treat with this healthy recipe. Packed with vitamin-E rich cashews, these no-bake cookies are gluten and dairy-free and suitable for vegans. They're also sweetened with dates instead of refined white sugar. Get the kids to help make them - they only need 10 mins prep before leaving them to set in the freezer.

Tomato, black olive and ricotta tarts

Got a pizza fiend in the house? These tomato tarts make the perfect after-school snack. They're easy to make and topped with juicy tomatoes, olives and creamy ricotta, which is lower in fat than mozzarella.

Shreddies and coconut bars

Wish the kids would eat more wholegrains? Use Shreddies to make these wholesome but tempting snack bars. These dairy-free bars only take 20 minutes to make. The kids will love helping to bash the Shreddies with a rolling pin before stirring them together with coconut, seeds and sultanas.

Salad snails

Sneak some salad into snack time. These cute snails are actually wraps filled with cream cheese, baby spinach and veggies. The faces are made with cherry tomatoes and carrot sticks for the snails' tentacles.

Blueberry and lemon yogurt scones

Try these fruity scones as a healthier alternative to blueberry muffins. There's no sugar in them - they're sweetened with ripe mashed banana, instead. They're made with a mix of white and wholegrain spelt flour, which is believed to be easier to digest than regular flour. Other goodies inside include the juicy berries, oats and natural yogurt.

Apple crisps

Banana and chocolate energy bars

Spending a fortune on bought snack bars? Try making a batch of these banana energy bars instead. They're a great way to use up very ripe bananas, as well as other ingredients you'll mostly have in already, like oats, eggs and flour.

Courgette, Feta and almond muffins

Savoury muffins are quick and easy to throw together. They're also a great way of sneaking some healthy goodies into the kids' diet - in this case courgette and flaked almonds. These muffins also make a fun alternative to sandwiches in the kids' lunchboxes.

Choc-nut energy bars

Try this healthier alternative to a bar of chocolate. They're packed with loads of goodies: pecans, cashews, oats and seeds, and topped with a layer of dark chocolate. A batch will last in a sealed container in the fridge for up to two weeks.